HIC Pipeline Pro Photo Gallery

Pipeline roars as a solid 10-12 foot swell hits the HIC Pipeline Pro where the top eight finishers get a shot against the world’s best at the Pipe Masters via a wildcard entry. The top eight finishers (below) join a previously selected crew who will represent Hawaii at the 2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters.

HONOLULU – February 6, 2009 – There was more bloodshed and hold-downs at Pipeline than a UFC match today, as 56 of Hawaii’s best Pipeline surfers put it all on the line at the HIC Pipeline Pro in a bid to secure a place in December’s prestigious Pipeline Masters. Pounding waves of up to 15 feet well and truly lived up to Pipeline’s fearsome reputation and by 5 p.m., eight surfers had sealed the deal. But not all were left standing.

Novak, 25, suffered the worst of the top eight, literally putting his life on the line in a list ditch effort to qualify. He wound up being shipped to shore in a rescue by the Water Patrol jetski with a head and lower back injury that knocked the air out of him for a good 15 minutes. While he eventually left the beach under his own power, the injury was bad enough to require stitches and prevent him from flying to Brazil this evening for a World Tour competition.